In the photo, members of the laboratory staff at Wetzel County Hospital review final plans for the Multiphasic Blood Analysis and Health Fair to be held Oct. 24 and 31. From left are Vickie Tomblin, phlebotomist; Vickie Longwell, technologist; Jody Franklin, laboratory manager; and Technologists April Norris and Heidi Willis. Absent when the photo was taken was Technologist Valerie Brown, hematology supervisor. The fair, co-sponsored by Quota International of New Martinsville, includes blood tests that can be an early warning screen for health problems and has become an annual rite in the community. (Photo by Bill Abraham)

Wetzel County Hospital’s annual Multiphasic Blood Analysis and Health Fair gets underway from Oct. 24 for persons with last names beginning A-L. The following weekend, Oct. 31, will conclude the event with persons whose last names begin with M-Z.

The fair, co-sponsored by Quota International of New Martinsville, will be held from 7-11 a.m. both days in the hospital’s outpatient services building. The event has served as an early warning to hundreds of persons of developing health problems.

Testing will cover risks of coronary disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, anemia, and diabetes. It also includes a colo-rectal cancer screen and, for men age 40 and older, a PSA, or prostate specific antigen, blood test.

A lipid profile requires all participants to fast for 12 hours prior to testing and to avoid consuming alcohol for 72 hours.

Also available during the fair will be blood pressure screening, coupons for hearing tests, and other wellness information that can be scheduled in November.

The WCH Radiology Department also will offer vouchers to women for bone density examinations on the day of the fair or that can be scheduled for a date in November. A physician’s order is required for all bone density examinations.

Insurance cannot be billed for tests offered at the fair.

The total cost of the fair is $40, with checks made payable to Quota International of New Martinsville.